The Anglican Church of Korea grew out of missionary work from England which began in the late 19th century. After a fruitful beginning the work slowed down during Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). In 1965 the first Korean bishop was ordained. Since the 1970s the church has increasingly expanded throughout the country. Educational and social institutions have played an important role in the development of the church. There are four religious communities. The theological seminary was upgraded in 1992 to become the Anglican University, in order to serve the needs of higher education.

The Anglican Church of Korea has from its beginnings endeavoured to be an indigenous church rooted in the Korean culture. It took nevertheless until 1993 before the church became an autonomous province within the Anglican Communion. Until that time the dioceses were under the direct jurisdiction of the archbishop of Canterbury.